Video: Pollard Play Moves Knesset Members

[Video below.] Even before Jonathan Pollard was rushed to hospital to undergo an urgent surgical procedure, Knesset members took part in a special event for him.

As part of the event, the MKs had the chance to see the play “Pollard’s Trial” which stars veteran Israeli actor Rami Baruch and which usually plays at the Cameri Theatre in Tel Aviv. The play is a monologue which tells Pollard’s story through an imagined trial in his prison cell.

“The play was brought to the Knesset after several MKs whom we invited to come see the play at the Cameri came out with a very difficult feeling,” said Adi Ginzburg, Spokesperson for The Committee to Bring Jonathan Pollard Home.

“Some said that they feel ashamed to be a part of an establishment which behaves this way towards Pollard,” he added. “This is the time to wake up together and do everything that can and needs to be done to end this injustice.”

Ultimately, however, Ginzburg said he knows the decision to release Pollard is up to President Obama.

“The bottom line is that the person who needs to reach a decision is President Obama, but the question is how his Congress members will act,” he said. “We’ve seen all his Senate members getting up time after time to applaud Israel’s Prime Minister. This question depends on what they hear here when they visit here, and what they hear from our emissaries in the United States. If it’s clear to them that this bleeding wound and its closing is at the top of Israel’s priorities, this will end.”

MK Uri Ariel (National Union), who addressed the MKs at the event, said, “The responsibility lies on your shoulders. You are the ones that need to approach the President of the United States and demand that Jonathan Pollard be released now. The time has come.”

“Each action that puts the issue of Jonathan Pollard on the agenda is important, all the more so when it’s done here in the Israeli parliament,” added MK Yohanan Plesner (Kadima). “The punishment towards Pollard has been exhausted. The American side is also open to releasing him, and it’s about time that this happens. We have to use our pressure tactics and our influence and persuasion to promote this process.”